Immortal Martial Emperor

Zhangg Lang slowly rose to his feet.

He cleared his throat, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

The Aolai Inn was quite large. The main hall held three to four hundred people, each a prominent figure in their own right.

Zhangg Lang, knowing his audience, didn’t waste time with pointless chatter that would only annoy them.

He got straight to the point. "Thank you all for gracing us with your presence at this banquet tonight. Today is not only the thirtieth anniversary of the Aolai Inn’s opening and a welcome feast for my nephew, but most importantly, I have a major announcement to make!"

"Boss Zhangg, what’s this mysterious matter all about?"

"Don’t tell me Boss Zhangg is going to be a father?"

"Haha..."

The crowd erupted in laughter.

Zhangg Lang laughed heartily, not taking offense. "I’d love to have a few more, but my old lady won’t have it!"

This only made the crowd laugh even harder.

Then, Zhangg Lang’s expression turned serious. "Starting today, the Aolai Inn will welcome a new proprietor!"

"What? A new proprietor?"

"Could it be..."

Everyone’s gaze fell upon the silent Xiahuang Dun.

Zhangg Lang smiled. "That’s right. Young Master Xiahuang Dun has decided to invest in my Aolai Inn, and together, we will build an auction house. This auction house will be built on the top floor of the Aolai Inn, and its scale will rank among the top ten in the Outer City of the Imperial Capital!"

"Whoa, a top-ten auction house in the Outer City? What a massive undertaking!"

"With Young Master Xiahuang Dun involved, it’ll be hard for the Aolai Auction House not to be a success!"

"Congratulations, Boss Zhangg, Young Master Xiahuang Dun! With you two joining forces, you’ll be invincible!"

"You’ll be raking in gold in the future!"

The crowd was abuzz with congratulations.

Of course...

...some of the more well-informed and powerful individuals remained composed, having already prepared congratulatory gifts, which they now presented one after another.

In the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom, any business connected to the Imperial Family was guaranteed a limitless future. What’s more, Xiahuang Dun was an Unparalleled True Dragon, and behind him stood one of the most prominent figures in the entire Ancient Kingdom.

Nearly everyone could predict that once the Aolai Auction House opened, it was destined to become one of the most profitable businesses in the Outer City.

Watching the powerful experts present their gifts, Zhangg Lang’s face was wreathed in smiles.

Zhangg Kang was much the same.

But every so often, his gaze would drift toward Hong Yu’s table, a hint of vicious resentment flashing in his eyes. He turned to Xiahuang Dun and asked, seemingly at random, "Brother Xiahuang, I was wondering, what kind of weapon do you use?"

Xiahuang Dun paused for a moment, then replied, "My weapon is a Sixth-Grade Primordial Weapon, the Flame Dragon Slayer Sword..." He paused again, then sighed. "Unfortunately, I still haven’t found a suitable defensive-type Primordial Weapon. Otherwise, with both offense and defense covered, I’d even have the confidence to challenge for a spot in the top twenty Unparalleled True Dragons!"

At this, Xiahuang Dun couldn’t help but sigh again. "It’s just that I look down on ordinary defensive-type Primordial Weapons, and Defense-type Primordial Weapons above Sixth Grade are extremely rare. Alas..."

Primordial Weapons are categorized into offensive weapons and defensive-type Primordial Weapons.

Among them, refining defensive-type Primordial Weapons is extremely difficult, and the refining techniques required are particularly demanding.

Even an average Sixth-Grade Spiritual Craftsman would find it difficult to refine a Sixth-Grade defensive-type Primordial Weapon.

For this very reason, even someone like Xiahuang Dun, a member of the Imperial Family, had not managed to obtain a suitable Sixth-Grade defensive-type Primordial Weapon.

"A Sixth-Grade defensive-type Primordial Weapon, you say?"

Zhangg Kang’s eyes darted back and forth.

His gaze drifted over to the nearby Little Chenxi, who was clutching an apple in her small, delicate hand.

A glint appeared in his eyes, and he said with a sly smile, "Brother Xiahuang, I know where to find a Sixth-Grade defensive-type Primordial Weapon!"

"Oh?"

Xiahuang Dun started, his eyes flashing with a keen light.

With the True Dragon War imminent, he was trying every possible way to increase his combat strength.

How could he not be thrilled to suddenly hear about the Sixth-Grade defensive-type Primordial Weapon he so desperately needed?

Zhangg Kang feigned hesitation. "However, this Primordial Weapon isn’t in my possession. As for the people who have it, I’m afraid they won’t part with it easily!"

"Hmph! Is there anything in this Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom that someone from my Xiahuang Family wants but cannot obtain?" Xiahuang Dun snorted, his face a mask of arrogance.

Zhangg Kang was overjoyed. He immediately said, "That Primordial Weapon is on that little girl!"

"Hm? The little girl?"

Xiahuang Dun’s gaze shifted toward Little Chenxi.

His brows furrowed slightly. His eyes suddenly locked onto the willow-branch-like bracelet on Little Chenxi’s wrist.

"Is it that bracelet?" Xiahuang Dun asked.

Zhangg Kang nodded. "That’s the one. I once saw that little girl use it. It can perform an Illusion Transformation into a powerful Willow Branch Armor for protection, and it even has Six Paths of powerful defensive Spirit Array Runes."

"Good. Zhangg Kang, if that really is a Sixth-Grade defensive-type Primordial Weapon, I will reward you handsomely!"

His eyes filled with excitement, Xiahuang Dun said to Zhangg Kang, "Go and tell those people to bring that Primordial Weapon to me!"

"I’m afraid they won’t be willing!" Zhangg Kang added fuel to the fire. "That Hong Yu is also very powerful. He was on par with Zhang Weilong before. I doubt he’ll agree to give up such a treasure."

"Zhang Weilong? Who the hell does he think he is!"

Xiahuang Dun sneered. "Just go and ask for it. If they refuse, I’ll just take it by force myself. In the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom, I really don’t think a few mere outsiders can stand against my Imperial Family!"

"Alright!"

Zhangg Kang was thrilled, gloating internally. ’Hong Yu, oh, Hong Yu. You dared to humiliate me before. Today, you’re dead meat!’

With that thought, an energized Zhangg Kang strode over to Hong Yu and his companions.

Hong Yu and the others were crammed around a small table. Landy and Xu Wudi had long been seething with anger.

Even the aloof Yeban, who usually only cared about money, wore a grim expression.

If Hong Yu hadn’t insisted they stay and watch the "good show," they would have flipped the table and left long ago.

So, seeing Zhangg Kang approach, they naturally didn’t have a pleasant look for him.

Zhangg Kang, however, was all smiles, without a hint of embarrassment. "Well, well, everyone. My sincerest apologies for the poor hospitality!"

On the table in front of Hong Yu’s group was a single bowl of soup and a few pieces of fruit.

Compared to the lavish feasts of meat and fish at other tables, their spread was utterly pathetic.

Hong Yu smiled faintly. "It’s fine. Eating a light meal is nice too."

"Hehe..."

Zhangg Kang chuckled, then stared at Little Chenxi’s wrist. "Hong Yu, Young Master Xiahuang Dun just said he’s taken a fancy to the bracelet on Little Chenxi’s wrist. He wants you to send it over to him."

"He’s taken a fancy to this bracelet, has he?"

Hong Yu gave Zhangg Kang a look that was not quite a smile.

The smile on his face slowly turned chilling. It was as if two ghostly, cold flames were burning in his eyes, and his voice deepened. "It’s not that I can’t part with this bracelet, but..."

"But what?" Zhangg Kang asked hurriedly.

He had expected Hong Yu to refuse outright. ’It seems there’s still a chance!’

Zhangg Kang thought that if he could help Xiahuang Dun get this bracelet, his relationship with him would surely improve by leaps and bounds. It would be a huge benefit for his future development in the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom.

But Hong Yu’s next words were like a bucket of cold water dousing the fire in his heart.

Hong Yu said flatly, "This bracelet of mine wasn’t easy to come by. Whoever wants it can damn well roll over here themselves. Don’t keep sending out minions and nobodies. It’s irritating to look at."

"What? Are you calling me a minion, a nobody?"

Zhangg Kang flew into a rage, pointing a finger at Hong Yu and practically jumping as he shouted.

Having always held himself in high regard, when had Zhangg Kang ever been looked down upon like this?

Hong Yu said coldly, "So you’re not completely stupid. Now, scram. Tell your master to come here himself."

At this point, Hong Yu couldn’t be bothered to pretend anymore.

From Zhangg Kang deliberately arranging this corner table to insult them, to him goading Xiahuang Dun into trying to make Xu Wudi be a drinking companion, and now to him coveting the Sixth-Grade Bracelet in Little Chenxi’s hands.

Every single one of these things had touched Hong Yu’s reversed scale.

His dignity, his friends, Little Chenxi...

Zhangg Kang had trampled all over them.

How could Hong Yu possibly be polite to him?

Zhangg Kang’s face was ashen, shifting between pale and livid. It was an extremely ugly sight. He could feel that the commotion had already attracted the attention of others; countless gazes were fixed on him.

It felt like he had needles on his back.

Steeling himself, he blustered, "Hong Yu, don’t push it too far! This is the Aolai Inn! Believe it or not, I could have you killed in minutes!"

Hong Yu glanced at him and shook his head. "I don’t believe you."

"Fuck!"

Zhangg Kang was incensed, a vicious light gleaming in his eyes.

He moved his feet, his hand forming a sharp claw as he lunged for Little Chenxi.

He knew he was no match for Hong Yu, so he targeted the seemingly helpless Little Chenxi.

However...

Just as his sharp claw was about to grab Little Chenxi...

Little Chenxi, who was munching on an apple, looked up. The bracelet on her wrist glowed with a cyan light, and nine cyan willow branches shot out abruptly.

The willow branches intertwined, weaving themselves into a green shield directly in front of Little Chenxi.

BANG!

The moment the claw struck the green shield...

...the shield flared with green light and forcefully repelled the claw, sending it flying back.

CLANG!

Caught off guard, Zhangg Kang was thrown backward.

He crashed heavily into a table, sending cups and plates scattering and shattering all over the floor.

"Fuck..."

Zhangg Kang flew into another rage. He flipped to his feet and was about to call for help when his vision suddenly went black.

Somehow, Hong Yu’s figure had appeared right in front of him.

"Of all the stupid things you could have done, you should never have laid a hand on Little Chenxi!"

Hong Yu’s face was ashen, his gaze chilling.

He was clearly furious to the extreme.

He grabbed Zhangg Kang by the collar, yanked him close, and drew back his arm.

Zhangg Kang instinctively looked up to see a palm rushing toward his face!

SLAP!

A slap descended with thunderous force.

WAH!

One side of Zhangg Kang’s face swelled up instantly. He spat out a mouthful of blood; nearly all the teeth on that side had been shattered by the blow.

"That’s for being a bastard!"

Another slap.

This one was even fiercer, sending Zhangg Kang flying backward. His body spun several times in mid-air before he fell toward the ground.

Hong Yu followed with an Arrow Step.

He raised his palm and swung it down in yet another slap.

This slap landed squarely on Zhangg Kang’s face, smashing him face-first into the ground with a sickening THUD. The dull impact was accompanied by the sound of breaking bones.

Where Zhangg Kang’s face had hit the ground, a web of fine cracks spread across the floor tiles.

"..."

The entire hall fell silent.

Hong Yu’s three consecutive slaps were too fast, as swift as lightning before one could even cover their ears.

No one had been able to react.

"I despise hypocrites like you who forget the pain the moment the scar heals. I don’t care that you schemed against me. I won’t hold it against you. But daring to make a move on Little Chenxi? You’re courting death!"

Hong Yu viciously raised his right foot, aiming for Zhangg Kang’s abdomen, intending to cripple his cultivation.

However...

Just as his foot was about to descend, a cold shout exploded like a clap of thunder.

"Insolent Hong Yu! How dare you attack someone before me! You’re courting death!"